Gaming laptops have come a long way. Packing an incredible amount of power into their portable frames, they’re ideal for working and gaming on the go. With plenty of options available to suit all requirements and budgets, including gaming at 4K, there’s a perfect portable gaming solution out there for everyone.
Razer Blade 16 (2024)
ASUS TUF Gaming A15
MSI Katana 15
MSI Titan 18 HX
Lenovo Legion Slim
Best Laptop for Gaming Overall:Razer Blade 16 (2024)
Fresh off the production line for 2024, theRazer Blade 16is a premium gaming laptop with a difference. It offers you two display options: a native 3840x2400 display with a 120Hz refresh rate or a 1920x1200 one with a 240Hz refresh rate. These can be switched between using Razer’s Synapse software, depending on what you’re playing.
The first display mode allows you to use the highest possible resolution for 4K gaming at the cost of a lower refresh rate. But if you prefer to prioritize the frame rate for certain titles, the lower resolution mode offers a much higher refresh rate. The Razer Blade 16’s dual-mode Mini LED display is quite literally a game changer.
Powered by an Intel Core i9 -14900HX 14th Gen processor with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (for the 64GB of RAM version), the Razer Blade 16 is an absolute beast for gaming on the go.
Best Budget Gaming Laptop:ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2023)
A top-tier gaming laptop can be very expensive. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative, theASUS TUF Gaming A15is a great option. It has a 15.6-inch IPS display with 1080p resolution at 144Hz and offers an excellent price-to-performance ratio for anyone who isn’t concerned about playing the latest AAA titles in 4K.
This 16GB version is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7000 Series with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU and offers a Turbo Mode for super-slick gameplay. It’s equipped with two 84-blade Arc Fans to assist with cooling, allowing you to take advantage of those high speeds without a dip in performance.
It might not be suitable for gaming at the highest resolution, but it is a reliable gaming laptop with a cool aesthetic that provides solid gaming performance without breaking the bank.
With its excellent price-to-performance ratio, the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 is one of the best gaming laptops for budget buyers and gaming enthusiasts.
Best Gaming Laptop Under $1,000:MSI Katana 15
If you have a $1,000 budget for a gaming laptop and want the very best for the price, theMSI Katana 15is that machine. It features a 13th-Gen Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, ideal for full HD gaming at 1080p.
Design-wise, it’s a little on the chunky side, and it’s not going to win any prizes for its portability when compared to the competition. However, performance is where the Katana 15 shines. An ideal entry-level gaming laptop that prioritizes gameplay over everything else, the MSI Katana 15 provides plenty of bang for your buck and is more than capable of running the latest games smoothly and reliably.
For less than $1,000, the MSI Katana 15 offers excellent value for money. It boasts superb gaming performance at 1080p and impressive built-in speakers for added immersion.
Best 4K Gaming Laptop:MSI Titan 18 HX
If you’re looking for the very best gaming experience on your laptop, theMSI Titan 18 HXcertainly lives up to its name. With specs that are off the charts, including an Intel Core i9-14900HX, an NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU, 128GB of RAM, and a 4TB SSD, this high-end gaming laptop can handle pretty much anything.
And then there’s that display. With its gorgeous 18-inch Mini-LED panel, this veritable powerhouse is just awesome for 4K gaming, taking advantage of that extra real estate to really make your games shine. It has a ton of ports for all your external devices (1 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x Thunderbolt 4, and 3 x USB-A) and runs like a dream.
The MSI Titan 18 HX is powerful enough to be a bonafide desktop replacement, which is not surprising given its hefty price tag. And although it is technically portable, all that hardware packed in does mean it’s bulkier and heavier than many gaming laptops.
Although it has a premium price tag, the MSI Titan 18 HX also delivers premium gaming performance. Its gorgeous 18-inch Mini-LED display is the perfect way to enjoy gaming at 4K on the go.
Best Light and Thin Gaming Laptop:Lenovo Legion Slim 5
If portability is at the top of your wishlist, theLenovo Legion Slim 5can happily accommodate you. Its smaller 14.5-inch OLED display adds to the smaller form factor, as does its featherweight 3.8lb frame and 0.84-inch wafer-thin profile.
However, despite its diminutive stature, the Legion Slim delivers where it counts. Armed with an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, you can expect an ultra-smooth and unfettered performance for 1080p gaming with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Ideal as an entry-level gaming laptop that scores high in the portability stakes, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 is an attractive option that looks great and runs even better.
With its ultra-lightweight frame and enviously slim 0.84-inch profile, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 is one of the best ways to enjoy portable gaming at 1080p.
Q: Do gaming laptops last longer than gaming PCs?
Typically, a gaming PC will last longer than a gaming laptop. This is due to their customizability, which can add years to their shelf life. In contrast, gaming laptops are far less customizable and, therefore, harder to future-proof.
Q: How much memory does a gaming laptop need?
This will depend on the type of titles you want to play, but many newer games recommend a minimum of 16GB of RAM, so this is a good place to start. This is generally enough to guarantee a solid performance, free from stuttering or lag issues.
Q: Is it better to use an external monitor with a gaming laptop?
Running games on an external monitor can have the benefit of better framerates, compared to using your laptop’s screen, as well as giving you a larger screen to game on. Plus, with a second display, you can play on one screen while leaving the other open for multitasking or chatting.
However, like most gaming setups, it will boil down to how you prefer to play.
Q: What is the refresh rate, and why do I need it for a gaming laptop?
The refresh rate of your monitor or laptop screen refers to the number of frames per second it can show. Represented by Hertz (Hz), the frame rate refers to the number of cycles that occur in a single second.
For example, a refresh rate of 144Hz is equivalent to 144 frames per second. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother gameplay experience you can expect.
